Printing machine



June 3, 1941. c. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNFVS O O a C a a o t.

06 MW vm June 3, 1941.

c. E. WYRICK 2,244,411

PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOI? ATTORNEYS CLAYTON E WYfF/CK June 3, 1941.

C. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 82 I IIIHII 59 B2 mun 6 52 152 84 y CZAYTO/V E. WV/F/C/f. 7-,. 4 9-7j ATTORNEYS.

June 3, 1941. c. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 3,1941. c. E, WYRICK 2,244,411

PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 June 3, 1941. c. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 CLAYTON L', WYR/CK,

BY W

June 3, 1941. c. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Original Filqd Aug. 29, 1956 June 3, 1941. c. E. WYRICK PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-She'et 8 June 3, 1941'. C w c I 2,244,411

PRINTING MACHINE Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 |NVENTQR CLAYTON E. WYRICK BY w $72. 4;

ATTORNEYS Original Filed Aug. 29, 1936 10 Sheets-Sheet 1O ATTORNEYS Patented June 3, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHCE Divided and this application January 11, 1938, Serial No. 184,451

23 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines and, particularly to such machines for printing of forms or designs on one or more sheets, strips or webs of paper or other, like, printable material.

It is an object of this invention to provide a machine in which one or a plurality of strips, sheets or webs may be simultaneously fed and printed.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a machine, a base unit having one or more printing units superposed thereon and pivotally connected thereto, whereby they may be swung upwardly on the base unit in order to afford free access to the parts of the respective units.

It is a further object of this invention to pro-' vide such a machine comprising a base unit with superposed, pivotally attached printing units, each equipped with printing plate means, ink supply means, and reciprocable carrier means, operative in each cycle, simultaneously to feed a web out of contact with the printing plate means, while transferring from the ink supply means to the printing plate means a predetermined amount of ink, while the carrier is traveling in one direction and operative, thereafter, while traveling in the opposite direction in its operative cycle progressively to engage the paper web (then held stationary against feeding movement) with the inked printing plate for the application to the web of a printed impression from the printing plate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in such a machine, means comprising a drive train so situated and located in the respective units as to be undisturbed by the operation of swinging of one or more of the respective printing units upwardly with respect to the supporting structure, whereby to gain full view and access to parts of the units.

It is a further object of this invention to provide, in the printing chamber of each unit, reciprocating means in the form of a carrier which, during its reciprocation, cooperates with mechanisms mounted in stationary manner to perform the various functions necessary to clamp the web in the unit in a stationary manner, to release the web, to advance the web, to again clamp the web, to bring the web progressively into contact with a printing plate, to print a form thereon and which, while feeding, transfers ink from an ink supply means to the surface of the printing plate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a machine having therein automatic means for feeding one or a plurality of sheets,

strips or webs through the machine in consecutive, predetermined lengths and means whereby the web may be processed or printed as it travels through the machine.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a machine in which the web measuring mechanism, ink transfer means and impression roller means are mounted in a common carrier assembly adapted for reciprocatory movement with respect to a stationary printing type or form plate at predetermined speed to insure smooth action in inking the type, feeding the web, and printing the Web.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a sequence of operations in the printing of forms upon webs comprising engaging the web and moving it forwardly a predetermined amount, while simultaneously inking a type plate supported therebeneath, releasing the web and pressing the web against the inked type plate by applying pressure thereto, progressively in a direction opposite to the direction of feed, and applymg the pressure to the side of the paper opposite, or remote from, the inked type plate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for securing the Web in a predetermined stationary position while making an impression thereon and to provide also means for automatically releasing the holding means at the end of each printing cycle and prior to the beginning of the feeding stroke.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for securing the web in a predetermined stationary position while making an impression thereon and to provide also means for automatically releasing the holding means at the end of each printing cycle and prior to the beginning of the feeding stroke.

It is a further object of this invention to providein each unit, means for feeding the web, or webs, means for transferring ink from ink fountains to the printing plates, and means for pressing the webs against the respective plates during the printing cycle.

It is a further object of this invention to provide ink fountain means adapted to deliver a predetermined amount of ink to the ink transferring means during each cycle of operation.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means for adjusting the quantity of ink supplied to the ink transferring means during each printing operation in a predetermined manner.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such means by which the application of ink to each of the ink transferring means in the respective units may be adjusted, or totally prevented, in a predetermined manner whereby to compensate for the use of inks of varying characteristics in the respective units and/or for the purpose of providing means whereby any one or more of the superposed webs passing through the machine may remain unprinted, or be more lightly printed than the other webs simultaneously traveling through the machine and/or whereby the impressions simultaneously applied to the respective webs may be made uniform as to lightness.

These and other objects and advantages will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings.

This application is a division of my application Serial No. 98,514, filed August 29, 1936.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a printing machine constructed according to the principles of my invention with a part of the supporting structure omitted;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the machine, as seen from the left of Figure '1;

Figure 3 is a similar end elevational view of the machine, as seen from the right of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view, in section, of the machine taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1; 1

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the base frame of the machine with the printing frames and power connections therefor omitted for the sake of clearness of disclosure;

Figurefiis a top plan'viewof one of the print- 35 ing sections of the machine, the other printing sections being omitted in the interest of clearness;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic View showing the other associated parts of the printing units, in the rearward position of'the carrier;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, but showing the carrier forward or feeding and inking'stroke;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figures '7 and 8, but showing the carrier in its foremost position, at the end of its forward stroke or traverse;

partially advanced in 'its Figure 10 is a side elevational view, insection, of the machine taken along the line 'lfl-lfl' of Figure 6, with the parts inthe position between that shown in Figure 9 and that shown in Figure 7, the direction of travel of the carrier being rearwardly;

Figure 11 is a top perspective view showing the details of the carrieras'sembly Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view, in end elevation, of the carrier assembly, as seen from the left side of the machine, showing the coop.- eration of parts to unclasp the web in the carrier, certain of the parts being broken away in the interest of clearness; p 4

Figure 13 is a View, in perspective, partly broken away, of the construction of the ink transfer rollers and supporting frame of the carrier illustrated in Figures 11 and 12;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13; and

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the structure shown in Figure 1, with the printing units swung upwardly into elevated position above the base unit, details of a portion of the operative structure having been omitted in the interest of clearness.

Referring to the drawings indetail and with of the lever mechanism cooperative relation of the carrier assemblies and iO reference particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 15, I have shown, as illustrative of my invention, a machine comprising a base frame generally designated I, which is mounted on a table 2 supported on legs 3 which have the shelf 4 rigidly secured therebetween. The drive motor 5 is rigidly secured to the under side of the table 2. Any other suitable source of power may be supplied, if desired.

The base frame I contains the aligning chamber and supports a type plate, an ink fountain assembly and three printing unit assemblies generally designated 6, the lower of which is pivotally secured at the rear end of the base frame i in a manner which will be hereinafter clearly described. The printing units, or printing unit assemblies, are identical, save for the fact that the-first or lower printing unit only is equipped with-a master print control for controlling the printing operations of the superposed printing units, and also an overload release drive clutch for operatively connecting to, and disconnecting from, the drive motor 5, the printing unit driving means. The base frame comprises a pair 01' longitudinalside plates 1 having a-horizontally disposed plate member 8 disposed therebetween, and to the longitudinal'sides of which they are secured by means of screws 9.

Disposed between the side plates 1, spaced from 0 and parallel with respect to the plate member 8,

is analigner supporting plate It] (Fig. 4) which, in conjunction with the sideplates l and plate member 8, form the aligning chamber. The aligning means, the details of which arenot shown, comprises an aligning frame which is slidable with respect to the aligning chamber-and which is provided with suitably spaced rolls over which the respective webs I l travel from their fanfolded position on the shelf 4 to the respective printing units.

The rolls supported in the aligning frame, which include the brackets l2, comprise an equal number of forward web guide rolls 13a (Fig. 10) disposed forwardly with respect to the aligning frame, and also rearward web guide rolls, designated i3. Switch means I 3b is provided in association with the forward web guide rolls in the aligning frame, which become operative immediately upon the passage thereover of atom place in a web, or upon exhaustion of a web, to energize the solenoid M which controls simultaneous opening of the operative circuit of the drive motor 5 andopening of the overload release clutch in the driving gear train under the control of hook means ll disposed on a power transmission link member of the lower reciproeating carrier assembly.

In other words, when the webs passing through the aligning chamber are continuous, the control switch for the motor 5 is in such position as to close the operating circuit'therefor, and the operative gear train is closed for reciprocation of the carrier assemblies through rotation of the motor 5. This means is fully described in my copending application Serial No. 98,514, filed August 29, 19.36, of which this application is'a division.

This means includes the solenoid armature l5 which is secured to the latch lever lfiand the lever mechanism 11 which is pivoted also to a side rail 1 and which has a notch cooperating with anend of the pivoted lever [B in such manner that'the lever I8 may be engaged with the notch ll and retained against counterclockwise rotation upon its pivot by the latching engagement of the lever I 6 with the lever mechanism [1. When the lever mechanism I1 is so locked, the upper end of a portion of the mechanism is disposed below the operative path of the above-described hook means H in such manner that reciprocation of the carriers may take place without interference with the latched mechanism of the lever mechanism ll by the above-described hook means 1|.

When, however, the solenoid I4 is energized, as described above, the solenoid armature I5 is drawn rearwardly, or to the left, as seen in Figure 1, to the position therein shown whereby to release the lever mechanism 1! for extension under the influence of the tension spring thereof, into the operative path of the above-mentioned hook means 'II on the carrier reciprocating link 10. After the lever l8 has been thus released from the lever mechanism H, the hook means II will engage the upper, extended end of the lever mechanism H and swing it in counterclockwise direction to release the lever I8 from the notch therein. The lever l8 has pivotally secured thereto the link I9 which is spring urged forwardly, or to the right, as seen in Figure 1, in such manner that immediately following movement of the lever mechanism ll under the influence of the hook means 1!, the link I9 is spring thrust forwardly, or to the right, as seen in Figure 1, to the position therein illustrated. The link 59 has thereon a switch operating plate with a pair of projections 2| which are disposed forwardly and rearwardly of the motor circuit control tumbler switch lever 22.

In the position illustrated in Figure 1, the switch is in position to open the motor :circuit but, when the link [9 is in its rearmost position, the position of the lever 22 is such as to close the operating circuit to make the motor 5 operative. The forward end of the link i9 is pivotally connected to a lever 23 which is rigidly secured upon a rotatable supporting shaft 24, Figure 4, which provides common support for the lever 25 having a clutch operating roller 26 rotatable thereon.

The power drive means of the base unit I comprises the pulley 28 connected by the belt 21 with the drive pulley of the motor 5, which pulley 28 is rigidly secured to the shaft 29. The shaft 29 is supported at one end in the bracket means 1a which is a downward extension of a side rail 1 and which has associated therewith the bracket plate 30. The opposite end portion of the shaft 29, adjacent the pulley 28, is supported by the bracket 3! which is secured by means of the bolt 32 to the under side of the plate 8.

Between the brackets and 3|, the shaft 29 has rigidly secured thereto a gear 33 at one side of which is the spacing collar 34 and at the other side of which is the spacing collar 35. The gear 33 meshes with a gear 36 rigidly secured to a gear 31 having common support therewith on the shaft 24, which shaft has the lever 23 and the clutch roller supporting lever 25 rigidly secured thereto, as described above. The gear 31 meshes with a gear 38 which is supported for free rotation on the stationary stud 39 affixed to a boss in the side rail or plate 1, and this gear 38 meshes with a gear 40 which is rotatably supported on the extended sleeve portion of a gear 4!. The gear 4| is supported for free rotation by the shaft 42 which, in addition to its other functions, provides pivotal connection between the base unit 4 and the first superposed printing unit 6, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The shaft 42 has suitable cap screws provided at each end which, in association with roller bearing means provided in the bosses of the base frame, render this shaft 42 freely rotatable in the base frame. The gear 40 has a sleeve portion 44 disposed toward the center of the frame and this is tapered to form a surface complementary to the inclined side surface of the clutch roller 26.

The righthan-d or central end of the gear 49 is provided with suitable apertures which receive complementary pins 45 of the sleeve member 46 which has its left end (Fig. 4) provided with an inclined or tapered surface similar to the tapered surface of the gear 40 and which is likewise complementary to the inclined side surface of the grooved clutch roller 26. This (left) end of the sleeve 46 is supported on the thrust bushing 41 which is freely rotatable on the shaft 42 and which has abutting engagement with the end of the gear 40 in such manner that, when the bushing 41 is resiliently thrust leftwardly, it forces the gears 40 and 4! together against the friction washer 43 in such manner that rotation of the gear 40 will be transmitted to the gear 41.

The sleeve 46 is provided with a central cylindrical bore 48 which receives a compression spring 49 having its left end in abutting engagement with the right end of the bushing 41 and its right end in engagement with an annular flange 59 on the sleeve 46. This spring 49 normally tends to expand the bushing 41 with respect to the sleeve 46. provided with a cup-shaped annular flange which is adapted to engage a complementary thrust washer 51 disposed between the flange and a frusto-conical left end surface of the member 52 which is rigidly secured by means of the set screw 53 to the shaft 42.

Normally, when the clutch roller 25 is out of engagement with the complementary surfaces of the sleeve 46 and gear 43, the expansion of the bushing 41 with respect to the sleeve 43 causes the gears 49 and 4! to be thrust together with the thrust washer 43 therebetween, and also causes the cup-shaped righthand surface of the sleeve 43 to be thrust toward the frustoconical surface of the member 52 with the thrust washer 5| therebetween in such manner that rotation transmitted to the gear 43 through the gear 38 will be likewise transmitted to the gear 4|, the sleeve 46, the member 52 and the shaft 42. When, however,the clutch roller 25 is engaged with the tapered adjacent end surfaces of the gear 40 and sleeve 46, the gear 49 and sleeve 46 are moved together sufficiently to release the friction on the friction washer 43 and the friction washer 5i to cause the clutch to be opened. Furthermore, when the clutch is closed, obstruction of the gearing will cause the clutch to slip and thus prevent damaging the parts in the printing frames thereabove.

The frames of the printing units 5 comprise the side plates 54 cut away along their central extent to form a trackway 55 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. At each end portion, the sides plates 54 are provided, at their upper end, with inwardly directed substantially horizontal flanges 56, to which are rigidly secured the roof plates 57 which divide each printing unit frame into two chambers. Rigidly attached to the longitudinal side edges of each roof plate 51, at the upper side thereof, by means of screws 59, are upper side plates 60. Each pair of upper sides plates 60 cooperates with At its right end (Fig. 4), the sleeve 46 is the supporting roof plate 51 to form the chamber of the printing unit which supports the type plate and ink fountain means. Aligned apertures are provided in the rear portion of each upper side plate 60 and each corresponding lower side plate 5d for receiving pintle means -6i for pivotally securing to each pair of upper side plates 60, the lower side plates 54 of the printing unit frame superposed thereon. The lower side plates 54 of the lower printing unit frame are secured to the side plates I of the base frame by means of similar p'intle members Bl which are provided with a suitable bore for receiving the rotatable shaft 42, above described. A continuous transverse bar Bla is disposed in the apertures of the upper side plates 59 of the uppermost printing unit frame for a purpose which will hereinafter more clearly appear.

As shown in Figure 4, the lower side plates 54 of each printing unit are disposed inwardly, in close engagement, with the upper side plates (iii of the printing unit superposed directly therebelow, and the same is true of the cooperation of the lower side plates 54 of the lowermost printing unit with the side plates I of the base frame.

As shown in Figures 1 and 15, latch lever means E32 are pivotally supported adjacent the rear end of each lower side plate 54 for engagement with suitable stud means on the side plate disposed adjacent and therebelow, and these latch lever means 62 are constantly biased toward clockwise latching engagement by suitable tension springs connected therewith and with the supporting lower side plate 56. Each printing unit 6 may be moved pivotally upwardly about its pintle means 6! by manually releasing the latch lever means 62, as shown in Figure 15.

The carrier reciprocating means for each printing unit includes a pair of sprocket chains 63, each supported on the outside of each lower side plate 541. as shown in Figures 1 and 4. The supporting means comprises the rear chain supporting sprockets 6 1 supported for adjustment longitudinally of the supporting side plate and the forward chain driving and supporting sprockets 65, each pair of which is rigidly secured to a chain sprocket drive shaft 66 which is rotatably supported at either end in the corresponding lower side plate 54, as shown in Figure 4. The lowermost shaft 65 is driven through the gear 6'! which meshes with the above-described gear El, and this shaft also carries at its opposite end a gear 68 which meshes with a gear 69 rotatably supported in g a slot provided in the roof plate 51 of the printing unit thereabove, as also shown in Figure 4. Each shaft 66 in the above printing units is likewise provided with a gear 68 meshing with a corresponding gear 69 supported by the roof plate 57 thereabove.

By the above described means, rotation of the gear 6!, as above described, will cause the shafts 66 to rotate simultaneously at the same speed and this in turn will cause travel of each pair of chains on each printing frame also at the same speed. This travel of the chains 63 is translated into reciprocation of the respective carrier assemblies in each printing unit by the link members 70 which have their forward ends pivotally secured to a pintle of each chain 63, as shown in Figure 1, and which have their opposite, or rear, ends pivotally secured to the carrier assemblies, as will be hereinafter more clearly described. The righthand link member thereof, as shown in Figure 2. Also, secured to each shaft 66 for axial adjustment thereon and for rotation therewith are web driving rollers 13 which are adapted for intermittent driving cycle of the machine, as will be hereinafter more clearly described.

Clamping means is also provided for maintaining the webs in stationary relation, and this means comprises the resiliently faced clamping members 74 which cooperate with the surfaces of the rear rollers 12 to clamp the web at the rear of-the unit and also resiliently faced forward end clamping means '15 which are adapted for intermittent supporting engagement with the under side of the web in the forward portion of the unit to lift the web from engagement with the web driving rollers 73, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

The manner of supporting the clamping or brake means 14 and I5 is as follows. Pivotally supported between the lower side plates 54 of each unit forwardly of the roller 12 is a clamping member support rod 76 upon which the arm portions of the clamp members M are rigidly secured. The members 14 are normally biased toward engagement with the rollers 12 by the spring means 11 disposed between the means 74 and the roof plates 51, as shown in Figure 10. Secured to the righthand end of each support rod 76, outside the frame, is a lever arm 18 to which is pivotally attached a link 19 which extends forwardly and which has pivotally secured at its forward end the lever arm. 80 which is rigidly secured to a rod 8i which is similar to the rod 16 and similarly disposed between the lower s'ide'plates 54 of each unit.

Also rigidly secured to the rod 8!, at their rear ends is a pair of clamp member support arms 82 which have rigidly secured, at either end, to their forward end portions, the cross bar 83 upon which the clamp members 15 are directly mounted for transverse adjustment thereon. The clamp member support arms 82 are constantly resiliently urged upwardly, or in counterclockwise direction about the rods 8| by tension springs secured at one end thereto and at the other end to the roof plate 51 thereabove.

Means is provided for resiliently pressing the web downwardly against the clamp member 15 and/or the web driver rollers 73 which comprises a pair of arms 84 which are pivotally mounted, at their rear ends, on the shaft 8! between the clamp member support arms 82 and which have rotatably supported at their forward ends the web compression roller 85.

A flat leaf spring member 86 is secured at each end to one of the arms 84 between the web compression roller 85 and the rod 8|. This leaf spring member 86 has a block rigidly secured to its mid-portion which is engaged by the lower end of an adjusting screw 87 screw-threaded in the roof plate 51. By means of this arrangement, the downward resilient pressure exerted by the web engagement with the webs, during the operative compression roller 85 upon the web may be adjusted by means of the screw 81, and this adjustment, along with the resiliency in the facing provided on the clamp members I and the inherent resiliency of the material from which these clamp members are formed, permits of very close adjustment of the pressure exerted on the web between the compression roller 85 and the cooperating clamp members I5.

Due to the rigid connection of the lever arm I8 with the rod I6 which supports the clamp or brake member I4 and the rigid connection of the lever arm 80 with the rod 8| to which is rigidly secured the clamp member supporting arms 82, and the positive location of the lever arms I8 and Si! by the connecting link I9 when the link I9 is thrust to its rearmost position, as shown in Figures '7, 9 and 10, the clamp or brake members 14 tightly engage the web with the supporting roller I2, while the supporting clamp members I5 urge the web upwardly against the downward force of the web compression roller 85 in such manner as to prevent the transmission of movement thereto from the web driver rollers I3.

Likewise, when the link I9 is thrust forwardly, the clamping members I4 are moved upwardly from clamping engagement with the web, while the supporting clamp members I5 are moved downwardly to permit the web compression roller 85 to resiliently press the web against the web driving rollers I3 for feeding the forward supported portion of the web through the printing unit. The rearmost position of the link I9 which defines the clamping position of the clamping members I4 and I5 may be adjusted by means of the set screws 88 provided for that purpose and rigidly supported on the right upper side plate 50 of each printing unit.

As above explained, the lower side plates 54 of the frames of the printing units 6 are cut away along their central extent to form a trackway 55. This trackway (Fig. is provided with suitable side plate means for retaining on the trackways the roller means which support the carrier units for reciprocation on the trackways 55.

The carrier assemblies (Figs. '7 to 14) are each of substantially identical construction, save for slight differences in'the equipment of the carrier assembly of the lower unit. Each of the carrier units is provided with a frame including a pairof plate-like side members 89 which are secured in rigid spaced relation by means of the L-section plate member 90 attached at the rear upper corners of each side member 89 and also the arouate paper guide plate 9! arranged centrally between the two side members and rigidly attached at each end thereto.

Also rigidly locked at each end to the respective side members 89 by means of set screws 93 is the front axle member 92. This axle member 92 has rotatably secured on its end portions dis-posed outside the side members 89 the ball bearing. supporting rollers 94 which roll in the trackway 55 and thus support the forward end of the carrier unit for reciprocation in the corresponding trackway. The rear end of each carrier is supported on the trackway 55 by means of similar ball bearing supporting rollers 95 which are rotatably supported on the rear axle member 96. This rear axle member 93 is rotatably journaled in the side members 89 and is adapted to have secured to each end thereof the rear end portion of the corresponding pair of the link members 18, as shown in Figure 14.

'In this manner, the rear axle member 98 pro vides pivotal connection between the carrier frame and the link members ID in such manner that travel of the sprocket chains 63 will cause reciprocation of the carrier assemblies in the trackways 55 in such manner that, when the forward ends of the link members ll! are traveling through the straight reaches of the sprocket chains 63, the carrier assembly is reciprocated at constant speed, while the speed of travel thereof is reduced when the connections of the link members travel through the curved portions of the chain path where the sprocket chain extends about the supporting chain sprockets 65. In such manner, the carrier assemblies are simultaneously given reciprocation in their trackways. The reciprocating movement is, in effect, modified simple harmonic motion.

J ournaled for free rotation in the front portion of the side members 89 and disposed below the front axle member 92 is a web supporting shaft 91 having an axial slot 98 disposed therein. Supported for axial adjustment on the web supporting shaft 9'! is a plurality of web support rollers 99 having serrated end flanges I89 adapted to supportingly engage fresh printed portions of a web without smearing. Each of the web support rollers 99 is provided with a spring member ISI which engages the axial slot 91 in the web support shaft 98 to secure the rollers 99 thereon against relative rotation with respect thereto.

Also supported on the shaft 98 is a pair of edge support rollers I92 which are secured to the shaft 98' in the same manner as are the rollers 99. These edge support rollers I02 are provided with a cylindrical surface for engagement with the side portions of a supported web. Each of the side members 89 is provided adjacent the forward portion of its lower edge with apertures I03 which provide clearance for swinging movement of the impression roller I04 which is suitably pivotally attached at each end to one of the impression roller support arms I05-which are pivotally secured at their rear ends by means of pivot screws I06 to the outside of the side members 89 rearwardly of the apertures I03. The impression roller support arms are capable of swinging movement about their pivot screws I06 for the purpose of advancing the impression roller I04 downwardly in such position that it may resiliently press a web against the inked printing plate of the printing unit during the rearward stroke of the carrier and upwardly to retracted position wherein it is substantially spaced upwardly from the printingplate during the forward, or feeding, stroke of the carrier.

Each roller support arm is provided adjacent its forward and upper edge with a notch adapted for engagement with a flanged roller I9I having the flange I08 thereof retained in an undercut slot or-groove I09 in each side member 89 of the carrien The roller I91 is rotatably secured to a flange I I I- of the shifting lever H0 which is provided at its upper end with an elongated slot which .is-supported on the stud I I2 which has an elongated head I i3 disposed outwardly of its supporting side member 89, which head is provided with a transverse bore through which extends the screw-threaded screw member II i having the nut I l 5at its upper end to control its movement downwardly with respect to the head H3, of the stud II2.

' A compression spring He surrounds the lower end portion of the screw IM and has one end thereof v in engagement with the under side of the head [I3 and the other end in engagement with the spring thrust adjusting block I I! which is screw-threaded on the screw H4. The shifting arm H9 has thereon a projection to which is connected one end of a tension spring II8 which has the other end thereof secured to a projection provided on the extreme end of the impression roller support arm I95, as shown in Figure 12. The cooperation of the parts is such that, when the shifting arm H is moved to its extreme clockwise position, the impression roller I04 is extended downwardly into printing position, while, when the shifting arm III) is disposed in its extreme counterclockwise position, the impression roller I94 is sufiiciently spaced from the type or printing plate to prevent engagement of the web therewith. The details of this structure are more clearly described in my copending application Serial No. 98,514, filed August 29, 1936.

The means for actuating the shifting arms comprise print control levers I I9 which are suitably supported for manual adjustment into and out of the operative path of the shifting arms or levers I I B for cooperation therewith, as shown in Figure 9, to shift the impression roller I 94 downwardly into printing position. A master print control is provided on the lowermost printing unit 6 and has operative connection by means of pins II9a with the printing control arms of the other superposed printing units. By releasing the latch member I20 from latching engagement with the lever I2I, the print control arms H9 of the lowermost unit may be permitted to move downwardly below the operative path of the shifting arm III] in such manner that the shift arm or lever I I 0 will be undisturbed during reciprocation of the carrier. In this manner, reciprocation of the carrier may occur without effecting shifting of impression roller I94 to printing position, whereby web feeding may occur without web printing.

Adjustably secured on the top surface of the plate member 99 by means of a pair of slots which cooperate with screws I23 is the web support plate I22 which has its forward edge inclined upwardly for engagement with creases in the fanfolded webs for predeterminedly locating the webs with respect to the carrier. As shown particularly in Figures 7 to 10, the web, in its path through the printing units, passes between the roller I2 and the cooperating clamping or brake means I4, over the web supporting plate I22 and the arcuate paper guide plate 9| and thence beneath the impression roller I94 and over the web support rollers 99, whence it passes between the web compression roller 85 and the cooperating clamp member I5.

As above explained, by controlling the position of the clamp members I5, the web is intermittently placed into contact with the web driving rollers I3 by the web compression rollers 85. The means for controlling the operation of the clamping means includes a substantially square block member I24 which is fixed to a link I9 and which is adapted to cooperate with notch means I25 provided in the clamp locking cam I25 which is pivotally supported on the screw I21 which is fixed to the side frame of a unit. The clamp locking cam I25 is biased in clockwise direction by the tension spring I28 which is secured at one end to the clamp locking cam I25 and at the other end to the link I9. Normally, therefore, when the block I24 is disposed sufiiciently forwardly, the clamp locking cam I25 will have the notch means I26 thereof engaged therewith to prevent rearward movement of the link I9.

Likewise, due to the fact that the clamp member support arms 82 are resiliently urged upwardly, when the clamp locking cam I is moved upwardly to permit the block I 24 to move rearwardly of the notch means I26, the link I9 will be thrust rearwardly for clamping. This movement of the clamp locking cam I25 upwardly for the above-described purpose, is accomplished by engagement with the lower downwardly inclined edge thereof of the adjustable screw I29 which is secured transversely in screw-threaded relation at the righthand end of the front axle member 92, as shown in Figure 9. This occurs when the carrier has substantially completed its forward travel in the printing unit. The clamping means are then applied to maintain the web stationary until, after the carrier has moved rearwardly or to the left, as shown in Figure 8, and thereafter moved rightwardly a predetermined amount, the link I9 is again thrust rightwardly for engagement of the block I24 in the notch means I26 of the clamp locking cam I25.

The means for determining when this unclamping shall occur comprises a thrust block I30 adjustably, clampingly secured to the link I9 by means of the screw I3I and also a second adjustable block I32 which is adjustably secured to the stationary bar I33 on the frame. The block I32 is adjustable on the bar I33 by means of the screw I34 which corresponds to the screw I3I in the thrust block I38. Pivoted on the screw I34 is the cam lever I35 which has thereon a stud to which one end of the tension spring I36 is secured. The opposite end of the tension spring I36 is connected to a stud provided on the pawl member I3! which is pivoted on the screw I38 which is fixed in stationary manner to the block I 32. The forward lower end of the cam lever I35 is adapted for abutting engagement with the block I30 which is adjustably, though fixedly secured to the link I9.

The righthand link III of each printing unit is provided with a clamp operating roller I39 which, in the forward motion of the carrier, engages the cam lever I35 and forces it upwardly in counterclockwise direction against the thrust block I30 which is thus thrust forwardly (Fig. 8). As the thrust block I30 is rigidly, though adjustably, secured to the link I9, the link I9 will be thrust forwardly, or to the right, to cause unclamping of the web II and, at the same time, the block I24 will be engaged in the notch means I26 of the clamp locking cam I25 to lock the clamping means out of operation, as shown in Figure 8. This permits the carrier, to which the web is then clasped, to advance the web forwardly while the forward end thereof is kept taut by the driving rollers I3 until the clamping means is operated by engagement of the screw I29 with the lower, downwardly inclined edge of the clamp locking cam I25 to release the block I24 from the notch means I26 and permit rearward movement of the link I9 (Fig. 9). The web is unclasped from the carrier substantially simultaneously in order that the carrier may move rearwardly without carrying the web therewith.

During this rearward movement of the carrier, the impression roller I04 is in its downward or printing position in order that it may resiliently press the web, progressively into engagement with the inked printing plate, hereinafter described. The means for clasping and unclasping the web to the carrier (Figs. 7 to 12 and 14) comprises means cooperating with the web support plate I22 for this purpose.

As shown in Figure 11, the shaft I40 is rotatably supported between the side members 89 and extends outwardly beyond the lefthand side member 89, where it is provided with an arm I4I rigidly secured thereto. Also rigidly secured to the shaft !40 between the side members 89 is a pair of arms I42 which are provided at their free ends with supporting studs I43. Each stud I43 is adapted to removably support the forward end of one of the pair of roller supporting links I44 which are secured together in rigid spaced relationship by the brace rod I45 and which have rotatably secured between the free, or rear, ends thereof the clasping roller I46. The upper end of the arm I4I has one end of a link I47 pivotally secured thereto and the other end of the link I47 is pivotally secured to the pin I48. The pin I48 is rigidly secured to the upper end of the arm I49 which is rigidly secured to the bar I50 which has cylindrical end portions journaled in the side members 09. At its righthand end, the bar IE is provided with a rigidly attached notched lever IEI which cooperates with the pawl I37 during the forward travel of the carrier, as hereinafter more clearly described.

As may be clearly seen by comparison of Figures '7 to 10 inclusive, the clasping roller I46 may be clampingly engaged with the web support plate I22 to clasp the web to the carrier by rocking the bar I50 rearwardly, or in counterclockwise direction, by engagement of the notched lever I! with the pawl I37 during the forward movement of the carrier. As the pawl I37 is mounted on the adjustable block I32, the point in the travel of the carrier, at which the clasping will occur, may be predeterminedly adjusted, as may be desired. By means of this adjustment, the length of feed, or travel of the web when clasped with the carrier may be predeterminedly controlled.

As above described, the cooperation of the notched lever I5I with the pawl I37 effects clasping of the web to the carrier. The means for rocking the shaft I40 forwardly to remove the clasping roller 546 from clamping engagement with the web support plate I22 to release the web from the carrier comprises means cooperating with the pin I48 to rock the interconnected bar I50 and shaft I40 in clockwise direction, as seen in Figures 7 to inclusive, and in counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 12. This means includes the pin retainer member I52 which is secured by means of screw 553 to the rigid boss on the lefthand link 70 of each printing unit (Figs. 4, 12 and 14).

This pin retainer member is formed of spring metal and has a hook-shaped forward portion. The disposition of the pin retainer member is such that, due to the inclination of the link 70 during forward feeding movement of the carrier, the pin I 40 is resiliently supported thereon in such manner as to lock the clasping roller I40 in its clamping engagement with the web support plate I22 (after placed therein by cooperation of notched lever I5I with pawl I37) until it is removed therefrom. The means for removing it therefrom comprises the stationary pin hook member I 54 which is suitably located on the unit frame. This pin hook member is disposed oppositely with respect to the pin retainer member I52 and is likewise formed of spring metal having a rearwardly and downwardly inclined hook at the end thereof.

The cooperation of this means is illustrated in Figure 12, wherein it will be seen that, when the carrier is moving forwardly in the direction of the arrow in that figure, the pin I48 is supported upon the pin retainer member I52. During the extreme portion of' the forward travel of the carrier, the pin I48 will pass under the pin hook member I54. When the direction of travel of the carrier is reversed, as above described, the pin I will engage the pin hookmember I 54 and this pin hook member I54 will retard the pin I 48 in such manner that the carrier will move rearwardly independently thereof in such manner as to cause the pin I48 to be drawn forwardly of the hook portion of the pin retainer member I52. The shaft I40 and bar I are thus swung forwardly to release the clasping roller I46 and thus the web is released from clamping engagement with the carrier in order that further rearward movement of the carrier may take place with the impression roller I04 in downward position, as above described, for progressively engaging the free web (which is clamped to the unit frame) with the inked printing plate for application to the web of a printed impression.

The manner in which the impression roller I04 is shifted downwardly is described above and the means for returning the impression roller I04 to its upward position, in preparation for the next forward, or feeding, stroke of the carrier, comprises stationary rcllers I55 (Figs. '7, 8 and 9), which engage the shifting arms H0 for that purpose (Fig. '7).

It will thus be seen that the carrier mechanism includes means for clasping and unclasping the web to the carrier frame at predetermined adjusable points in the operative cycle and that means is also provided for cooperation with the carrier for predeterminedly clamping and unclamping the web in stationary manner in the printing unit. Thus, as shown particularly in Figures '7 to 10 inclusive, the carrier begins its forward movement with the web unclasped therefrom and clamped in stationary manner in the printing unit (Fig. 7). Thereafter, by substantial simultaneous engagement of clamp operating roller I39 with cam lever I35 and lever l5I with pawl I37 (Fig. 8), the web is unclamped from the frame of the printing unit and clasped to the forward moving carrier.

Simultaneously with unclamping of the web from the printing unit frame, the forward portion thereof is engaged with the web driving rollers 73. The forward motion of the carrier with the clasped web continues until the web is unclasped from the carrier and clamped in stationary manner to the frame (Fig. 9).

As also shown in Figure 9, the impression roller I04 is shifted downwardly and during the rearward movement of the carrier, the web is progressively engaged with the printing plate by this impression roller I04. The parts then take the position shown in Figures '7 and 10, while the impression roller !04 is shifted upwardly, as shown in Figure '7, in preparation for the succeeding forward stroke of the carrier.

Rearwardly of the aperture I03 provided in each side member 89 is an aperture I55 which extends upwardly from the lower edge of each side member and which provides means for accommodating an ink transfer assembly in the carrier. The ink transfer assembly (Figs. '7 to 14) comprises a frame I57 having rotatably mounted therein a pair of identical ink transfer rollers I58. These ink transfer rollers have their central' portions provided witlr suitable resilient clothing such as rubber, synthetic rubber or the like, and have collars I55 rigidly secured thereto at each end.

The pintles I50 of each of the ink transfer rollers are rotatably supported in sleeve members ISI These sleeve members are provided with inwardly disposed enlarged shoulder portions with fiat sides adapted to be supported in upwardly directed slots I62 in the vertical side portions of the frame I51. The frame I51 is provided with two of these slots I62 in each vertical side portion thereof and each pair of slots spaced apart a suitable distance. The outer ends of the sleeve members ISI are provided with cylindrical exteriors and these cylindrical portions fit into suitably spaced apertures in the attaching plate I63 which is disposed thereover and drawn inwardly toward the vertical side portions of the frame I51 by means of bolts I54, each having its outer, or head, portion disposed in a sleeve member I65. By tightening the bolt I 64, the attaching plate I63 may be drawn inwardly and the sleeve members I6I accordingly adjusted so as to properly adjust the amount of axial movement permitted on the part of the ink transfer rollers, as may be desired.

The top surface of the frame I 57 is provided with a slot I66 extending from side to side thereof, which is adapted to accommodate, for reciprocation and rotation therein, a rigid ink spreader roller I68 having the pintle I59 thereof rotatably supported in suitable aperture means I6! provided in each side portion of the frame I'I'. Suitable grooved bushings are slidably and rotatably supported upon the pintle I 69 at each end, and the grooves thereof are engaged by downwardly directed depressions ill of the fiat spring clamp members I'ifl which are each suitably located on and secured to the top surface of the frame I51 by screws I'IIa. By loosening the screws, the ink spreader roller may be released from the frame I51 (Figs. 13 and 14).

The lefthand end of the pintle I89 is provided with a rigidly attached grooved roller I12 which engages a vertically disposed, downwardly directed flange I13 of the horizontally disposed lever II5 which is pivoted by means of the screw I14 to the top surface of the left side member 89 (Figs. 11 and 12). The forward end of the lever H5 is provided with a rotatable roller I76 and a spring member ITI secured to the inner side of the lefthand' side member 89 constantly resiliently urges the forward end of the lever I75 outwardly, or to the left of the carrier. each roof plate 51 is provided with a suitably located cam plate I I8, Figure 14, which is constantly engaged by the roller I'It due to the resilient pressure applied thereto by the spring I". Due to the inclination of the inwardly disposed edge of the cam plate I'IB, the lever I75 is swung laterally during reciprocation of the carrier to cause transverse reciprocation of the ink spreader roller I68. (See Fig. 14.)

As the ink spreader roller I68 directly engages the ink transfer rollers I58, the reciprocation thereof insures uniform distribution of ink on the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers I53. he frame I5? is removably secured in. position in the carrier by means of a pair of spring clamps I'It which are rigidly secured to the plate member 99 of the carrier at their upper ends and which are provided with suitable projections at their lower ends which engage complementary projections in The under side of V the frame I57 to retain the frame I51 against displacement.

The ink transfer roilers I58 are constantly resiliently urged dovmwardly by downwardly spring pressed pins it which extend upwardly into suitable bores provided in the side members 89 and which are so disposed that their lower ends engage the sleeve members IEI which support the pintles I60 of the ink transfer rollers I58 (Figs. 11 and 12). The frame I5! of each carrier may be removed therefrom by releasing the spring clamp members I79 and removing the frames downwardly from the carrier in order that replacement of the ink transfer units may be made for convenience in changing the color of printing ink used in the respective printing units. It will thus be seen that the ink transfer units are removable and comprise resiliently clothed ink transfer rollers and an associated ink spreader roller which is constantly reciprocated transversely during longitudinal reciprocating movement of the carrier in the printing unit.

The ink transfer assembly cooperates, during reciprocation of the carrier, with an ink fountain assembly, generally designated IBI, and a printing plate generally designated I82, which are both secured to each roof plate 57 in the second printing unit and the unit thereabove and to the plate 8 of the base frame in the lowermost printing unit (Figs. 2 5 to 10 and 15). The type plate structure and support means is shown in Figures 5, 6, 9, l0 and also in Figure 15. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plate 8 of the base unit I and also each roof plate 51 of the superposed printing units is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending type rails I83 which are disposed in parallelism with one another. The screw i extends through a slot I84 in the righthand type rail I83 and is screw-threadedly secured in the side of the type base I86 for securing it adjustably between the type rails I83. The lock washer I85a is disposed between the head of the screw I85 and the side of the type rail I83 for locking purposes. By releasing the screw I85, the type support I86 may be adjusted longitudinally between the type rails I83.

The type support I38 is provided with a plurality of parallel transverse slots I37 and also a plurality of longitudinally disposed undercut slots I 88. The transverse slots IB'I are adapted to receive a transverse flange of each of the members I89, each of which is connected by means of a tension spring I90 with a member IQI which is similar to the member I89 and which is adapted to engage the rearward edge of a type plate I92. The type plate I92 rests upon the top face of the type support I85 with its forward edge in engagement with an upstanding flange member I93 which is rigidly attached to the supporting plate 8, or 51, or formed integrally therewith.

The members I89 may be engaged in any desired one of the transverse grooves or slots I81 to accommodate type plates I82 of various lengths. The spring connection I96 between each member I89 and its corresponding member I9I makes possible the insertion of the members I89 in the desired transverse groove or slot IBI in such manner that the members I9! apply resilient pressure to the rear edge of the printing plate I92 in such manner as to securely retain its forward transverse edge in snug abutment with the upstanding flange member I53.

The type plate, or printing plate I92 may be removed from the machine by merely drawing rearwardly the members I9I sufficiently to swing the type plate upwardly about its forward transverse edge. For substitution of a different type plate, it is merely necessary to engage each member I9l with the rear transverse edge of the desired plate and move the plate rearwardly a suftficient distance, after which the forward end thereof is lowered into engagement with the upstanding flange member I92 (Fig. 10).

Disposed rearwardly of the type plate I92 and its supporting means is a transverse aperture provided in each plate 8 and each roof plate 51 and designated respectively 8a and 51a (Fig. 10). These apertures provide access to the ink fountain assemblies IBI mounted on the respective plates in a manner which will hereinafter more clearly appear. The details of the ink fountain assemblies are illustrated in Figures to inclusive and they are also shown in Figures 2 and 15.

A substantially L-shaped spring clamp member I94 is secured to the plate 8 and also to each roof plate 51 rearwardly of and adjacent the apertures 8a. and 51a respectively, as shown in Figures 2, 5, 6 and 10. At its upper end, this spring clamp member I94 is provided with a substantially horizontal forwardly directed flange which is adapted for close engagement with the rear upper transverse edge of the ink fountain assembly and which cooperates with the rear ends of type rails I83, with which the forward wall of the ink fountain assembly abuts, to resiliently and removably secure the ink fountain assemblies IN to the respective supporting plates 8 and 51 respectively in predetermined position with respect to the type plate assemblies I82, as shown particularly in Figure 10.

The ink fountain assemblies in all printing units are identical. The ink fountain assemblies comprise box-like ink containers with bottom and sides formed of one integral plate I95 and with ends formed of relatively thick plates I96. A cover plate I91 is suitably attached to the top of the container and is provided with a transverse aperture I98. Rotatably mounted in each container are three rolls designated I99, 200 and I respectively. The rolls I99 and 290 are rotatably secured in rearwardly extending flanges of a substantially U-shaped frame 202, which frame is resiliently urged rearwardly by meansof springs 203 attached at the sides of the frame I02 in order to retain the roll 200 in close engagement with the roll 20I.

The rolls 200 and 20I have elongated pintles at the left, which extend through the lefthand end plate I96 of the container. To the ends of these pintles are rigidly attached interengaging gears 200a and 20Ia., whereby. when the roll 20I is rotated in counterclockwise direction, as seen in Figure 10, the roll 200 is rotated therewith, but in clockwise direction as seen in that figure. The leftward extending pintle of the roll 290 is received in the slot in the lefthand plate I 96, whereby the frame 202 and the supported rolls I99 and 200 may be removed bodily from the ink container. The top plate I91 is secured on the top of the ink container by means of the spring clamps 204.

.As may be seen particularly in Figures 5 andfi, the pintle of the roll 20I extends also to the right and has rigidly secured thereto the ratchet memher 205 and the rigidly attached handle portion 209. Rotatably mounted between the members 205 and 208 is a lever member 201 which carries a transversely disposed pin 208, upon which is pivotally mounted a click member 209 which is urged toward the teeth of the ratchet member 205 by means of the spring 2I0 (Fig. 5). At the lower end of the lever 201 is a short arm 2 I I which is adapted for cooperation with the adjusting screw 2I2 in a manner which will hereinafter more clearly appear.

Pivotally secured to the righthand plate I99 for engagement with the teeth on the ratchet member 205 is the pawl 2I3 which has connection with the lever 201 by means of the tension spring 2 I 4. The adjusting screw 2 I 2 is screw-threadedly mounted in a block 2 I5 which is secured by means of screws to the top surface of the supporting plate member 8, or 51, in such position as to align the adjusting screw 2 I2 with the short lower arm 2 of the lever member 201. By adjustment of the adjusting screw 2I2 longitudinally in the block 2E5, the initial position of the lever 201 may be adjusted as desired. The carrier is provided with means cooperating with this lever 201 to effect rotary movement thereof through a predetermined degree of are upon each reciprocation of the carrier. This means comprises a roller 2| 9 which is rotatably supported at the rear lower corner at the righthand side member 89 of the corner.

As is shown most clearly in Figures '1 to 9, the roller 2I6 engages the upper end of the lever 201 at the end portion of the rearward stroke of the carrier, whereby the lever 201 is swung to the left, as seen in Figure '1, and the ink roll 20I is given an amount of counterclockwise rotary movement which depends entirely upon the adjusted or at rest position of the lever 201, which position may be predeterminedly controlled by adjustment of the adjusting screw 2| 2, as above explained. Comparison of the positions'of the lever 201 in at rest position (Fig. 8) with that of Figure '1, in which it is depressed, will indicate just how this rotation of the ink roll 20I occurs.

By longitudinal adjustment of the adjusting screw 2 I2, the at rest position of the lever 201 may be predeterminedly adjusted, as desired, by changing the inclination of the lever 201. To increase the arc through which the lever 201 travels under the influence of the roller 2IB, the

adjusting screw 2 I2 is backed off or adjusted rear wardly with respect to the block 2I5, while adjustment of the screw 2I2 forwardly with respect to the block 2I5 will decrease the are through which the lever 201 is advanced by contact with the rearwardly moving roller 2H5.

In this manner, the are through which the ink supply roller 20I is advanced, upon each return stroke of the carrier, may be predeterminedly adjusted and, obviously, the amount of ink supplied from the receptacle to the surface of the roller 20I will vary directly with the extent of the are through which the roller 20I is advanced. As the roller 20I is engaged by the ink transfer roller means I58 of the carrier upon each rearward stroke of the carrier subsequent to a printing operation, the amount of ink supplied to the ink transfer roller means I58 will be proportional, therefore, to the are through which the lever 291 is swung.

After the printing of the web II has been accomplished during each cycle of operation, the rearmost roller I58 passes over the ink supply roller 20I in the-ink fountain means, as shown in Figures '1 and 10. Thereafter, during forward travel of the carrier and the ink transfer rollers I58, the rearmost roller I58 transfers ink to the ink spreader roller I98, from whence it is supplied to the foremost ink transfer roller I58 and, due to the axial reciprocation of the ink spreader roller I 53, as above described, the spreading of the ink uniformly on the surfaces of the ink transfer rollers I58 continues even while the ink transfer rollers I 53 are in engagement with the upper, or printing, surface of the printing plate I92.

During the engagement of the ink carrying, ink transfer rollers I '58 with the printing surface of the printing plate Hi2, ink is transferred from the rollers I 58 to the printing surface of the plate I92 during forward travel of the carrier. At that time, as above explained, the web II is unclamped from the printing unit frame and is clasped to the forward moving carrier and moved thereby out of contact with the printing plate I92, because of the upward disposition of the impression roller I94.

On the return, or printing, stroke of the carrier, when the web H is clamped in stationary manner independently of movement of the carrier, the ink transfer rollers I58 travel rearwardly in advance of the resiliently downwardly pressed plate engaging web surface. This engagement of the ink transfer rollers I58 provides additional insurance of uniformity of ink distribution on the printing surface of the printing plate I92 immediately before progressive engagement of the web I! therewith by the resiliently downwardly urged impression roller I04.

The other operations occurring during each operative cycle of the printing units have been described above and it will thus be understood that, in the operation of the machine, the webs II travel through the aligning chamber and thence through the respective printing units where they are alternately clamped in stationary manner, and intermittently fcd forwardly in predetermined feed lengths corresponding to the desired spacing between printed type forms thereon, and that, after each forward feeding movement of the web occurs (simultaneously with inkingoof the type plate I92), the web is unclasped from the carrier, clamped in stationary manner in the frame of the printing unit, and thereafter progressively engaged with the inked surface of the type or printing plate I92 by the impression roller I84 during rearward travel of the carrier in the printing unit.

As shown in Figure 15, interleaved, fan-folded webs II may be supported upon the shelf 4 of the machine frame and they may be separated prior to introduction to the aligning chamber by the separator means generally designated 2H. This means includes a plurality of separator rods adapted for insertion between adjacent webs,

as most clearly described in my copending application Serial No. 93,514, filed August 29, 1936. As is also most clearly described in that application, upon issuing from the respective prinlting units in superposed relation, the webs may pass through a web delivery guide generally designated 2H3 which includes certain shafts driven through belt means 2I8a from a printing unit for guiding the webs when issuing from the printing units in superposed relationship, while again bringing them together in the same relationship in which they are disposed when resting upon the shelf 4. Thereafter, the webs may be treated in any desirable manner, though they are preferably refolded into superposed fanfolded relationship by stacker means (not shown), which is operated from the lower unit of the machine by a linkage generally designated 2 I 9.

Certain other features of the machine, which are not, per se, a part of this invention, such as the counter means 220 and the master print control'means, are not described in this application, but are most fully described and illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 98,514, filed August 29, 1936, of which this application is a division.

It will be understood that the above-described structure is merely illustrative of the manner in which the principles of my invention may be utilized and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Havingthus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a printing machine including stationary ink supply means, printing plate means, and reciprocatory carrier means cooperating therewith, an ink transfer unit in said carrier means including rotatable ink transfer roller means alternately engageable with said ink supply means and said printing plate means, and ink spreader means associated with said ink transfer means and means comprising a cam and associated rollor mechanism responsive to reciprocation of said carrier to axially reciprocate said ink spreader for uniformly distributing ink on said ink transfer roller means.

2. In a printing machine including stationary ink supply means, printing plate means, and reciprocatory carrier means cooperating therewith, an ink transfer unit in said carrier means including resilient rotatable ink transfer roller means alternately engageable with said ink supply means and said printing plate means, and rigid ink spreader roller means associated with said ink transfer means and means comprising a cam and associated roller mechanism responsive to reciprocation of said carrier to axially reciprocate said ink spreader for uniformly distributing ink on said ink transfer roller means.

3. In a printing machine, a frame, a stationary printing plate in said frame, a carrier reciprocable in said frame adjacent said printing plate, ink transfer means on said carrier for applying ink to said printing plate, and means for supplying ink to said ink transfer means comprising a stationary ink container adjacent said printing plate, an ink supply roller rotatable in said container adapted to contact said ink transfer means, ink spreader means operatively associated with said ink transfer means for uniformly distributing ink thereover, and means responsive to reciprocation of said carrier for effecting controlled rotation of said ink supply roller including a roller on said carrier, a lever engaged by said roller during reciprocation of said carrier, and ratchet means connecting said lever with said supply roller.

In a printing machine, a frame, a substantially fiat stationary printing plate in said frame, a carrier reciprocable in said frame adjacent said printing plate, ink transfer means on said carrier for applying ink to said printing plate, and means for supplying ink to said ink transfer means comprising a stationary ink container adjacent said printing plate, an ink supply roller rotatable in said container adapted to be contacted by said ink transfer means at intervals, means for spreading the ink uniformly over said ink transfer means, and means responsive to reciprocation of said carrier for effecting controlled rotation of said supply roller including a roller on said carrier, a lever swingably engaged by said roller during reciprocation of said carrier, and 

